01/21/2019 – Counterfeit Currency

Counterfeit money has been a problem nearly as long as coins and paper currency have been in use. What once required artistic skill and specialized equipment now can be accomplished with a cheap printer or an Amazon account, where $10 can buy $10,000 in “movie money”.

With fake money readily available, the counterfeiting problem isn’t going away but we can combat it in our communities. Businesses need to properly train and equip employees and each of us need to pay attention to the money we receive.

Counterfeit money isn't difficult to spot because modern counterfeiters rely more on distracting the receiver than on creating realistic-looking, and feeling, money. Many businesses have their employees "test" money with counterfeit-detecting pens but those pens can return false positives and be fooled. Ultraviolet detection devices are better than the pens but the best, and cheapest, option is to properly train the people who handle money.

The anti-counterfeiting features of U.S. currency are not a mystery, the Secret Service has an entire website dedicated to the security and design features of genuine currency. Detecting a fake is only a matter of knowing what to look for and taking your time when handling money. Everything you need to know to spot counterfeit currency can be found at uscurrency.gov. If you're a business owner/operator in Angelina County and need help preparing your employees, contact Detective JB Smith, executive director for Crime Stoppers.

If you know anyone involved in producing or passing counterfeit money, you might be able to turn your knowledge into cash, genuine U.S. currency, by clicking one of the tip button below, using Crime Stoppers’ app, or calling (936) 639-TIPS. Calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

01/07/2019 – Four Frauds and a Burglary

Businesses don't simply absorb the costs associated with fraud and theft, they pass them along to customers; to you. Preventing and solving crimes helps everyone, except the criminals, and Crime Stoppers has a burglary and fraud case that needs to be solved.

December 14, burglars smashed a window of a truck parked on Muirfield Drive in Lufkin. They stole a wallet and, within hours, used the victim's credit cards at Walmart in Lufkin and Nacogdoches. Video from the Lufkin store shows four men fraudulently using the credit cards to purchase several thousand dollars worth of gift cards, at least some of which were Vanilla brand.

The suspects wore hats and hooded jackets, and avoided looking directly at security cameras, but video posted here and on our Facebook page should let someone identify them. All four appear to be black males. The first into the store wore a dark gray or black hoodie and a light blue hat. The second wore a red and black hooded jacket, possibly North Face brand. The third wore a high-visibility yellow, reflective safety shirt over a light gray hoodie. And, the fourth wore a red hoodie and a dark blue hat with what appears to be Walmart's yellow spark logo on its front.

If you can identify any of the suspects in this case, click the Solve This” Button below, download our app, or call us at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward. Only the first, most accurate anonymous tip that leads to an arrest is eligible for a reward.

To be among the first to learn about wanted people and unsolved crimes in the Deep East Texas area, keep and eye on website page and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

12/24/2018 – Livestock Cruelty

Lufkin Police Department needs help identifying the person responsible for killing and butchering a calf in a pasture on Bloomer McCall Lane.

The owner of the property reported finding one of his Black Angus calves deceased and partially butchered. Missing from the approximately 400-pound calf were its right front leg and shoulder, and both back straps. The owner doesn't know who is responsible, why the animal was chosen, or why the criminal took only a small portion of the meat, but said the crime occurred between mid-afternoon December 15 and mid-day December 17. The first officer on scene inspected the carcass but could not determine the cause or manner of death.

Most will prefer not to see photographs of the crime but viewing the photos might encourage a tipster to come forward with case-solving information, so Crime Stoppers is making them available. Clicking the following link will take you to images of the deceased calf: [I choose to view images of the deceased and butchered calf].

Section 42.09 of the Texas Penal Code prohibits cruelty to livestock animals but for the statute to apply to this crime, investigators must prove that the calf was killed in a way that caused "unjustifiable pain or suffering". Theft is another offense that fits, given that the criminal deprived the owner of his property. Either way, whoever is responsible for this heinous act is facing felony punishment.

Crime Stoppers has reward money available for the anonymous tip that helps put the offender in jail. If you can identify the person responsible for this crime, click the "Solve This" button below, download our app, or call (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and the first, most accurate anonymous tip that helps solve this case might be eligible for a reward.

12/17/2018 – Failure to Register

In Texas, sex offenders must register with local law enforcement upon conviction or release from custody, and then periodically according to the terms of their conviction. Failure to meet the reporting requirements may subject the sex offender to felony prosecution. Visit the Texas Sex Offender Registry website and you'll find there isn't a shortage of registered sex offenders in the East Texas area.

This week, Crime Stoppers wants to shine a light on one sex offender who has been wanted in Angelina County since April for failing to meet their registration requirements. Johnathan Mitchell was convicted in 2005 of sexually assaulting of a 14-year-old female child. One requirement of his conviction is that he register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. Having failed to meet that requirement, Mitchell is now wanted on a third degree felony arrest warrant.

The listed warrant information was correct when published but might change before being read. Warrants must be verified before arrest. NEVER attempt to apprehend any suspect yourself; doing so may be dangerous and Crime Stoppers will not pay a reward to anyone involved in such action.

If you know Johnathan Mitchell's current location, click one of the tip buttons on this page, download our app, or call us at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward. Only the first, most accurate anonymous tip that leads to an arrest is eligible for a reward.

UPDATED 12-17-2018 - Teresa Ilean Hague - FOUND

Crockett Police Department reported that Teresa Hague was found in Virginia and is safe. CPD said Teresa's family has been notified of her location and they thank everyone for the information provided throughout the search for her.

The original posts regarding 25-year-old Teresa indicated that she was last seen in Crockett's Quail Trail subdivision getting into a green truck occupied by Richard (Ricky) Hampton Hayslett and Starr Raw. Hayslett was wanted in Houston County for Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance and for Failure to Appear.

At the time of this update, Richard Hampton Hayslett was not in custody so Crime Stoppers may pay a reward for information that leads to his arrest. Remember, only tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and only anonymous, crime-solving tips that concern information not previously provided to or known by law enforcement are eligible for a reward

The listed warrant information was correct when published but may change before being read. Warrants must be verified before arrest. NEVER attempt to apprehend any suspect yourself; doing so may be dangerous and Crime Stoppers will not pay a reward to anyone involved in such action.

12/10/2018 – ID Theft

November 01, a Lufkin resident was alerted by an identity theft monitoring service to which he subscribes that a new account had been opened in his name. Knowing he had not opened an account, he reported the incident to Lufkin Police Department. Investigators obtained video of a man who fraudulently used the victim's identifying information to open an account at Best Buy in Lufkin, and attempted to open an account at Target, also in Lufkin.

Videos from both stores show the same man, seen here in an image pulled from Target's security cameras, applying for credit in the victim's name. He is a black male and was wearing a dark colored Nike "Jays, Treys and Fadeaways" t-shirt and gray Nike "Just Do It" sweatpants. At both stores, the suspect was accompanied by a black male wearing a white t-shirt, black shorts, black socks, and black slide-style sandals. In Best Buy, the companion helped the suspect with selecting the Apple products to purchase with his newfound identify.

If you can identify the identity theft suspect, or know of someone else committing similar crimes in the Deep East Texas area, click the “Solve This” button below, download our app, or call us at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward. Only the first, most accurate anonymous tip that leads to an arrest is eligible for a reward.

To be among the first to learn about wanted people and unsolved crimes in the Deep East Texas area, keep and eye on website page and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

12/03/2018 – Will Tip For Cash

This really is the most wonderful time of the year, but it can be expensive. Crime Stoppers might be able to help with the expenses.

There's no shortage of people with active warrants for their arrest. While most are for moving violations, some are for felony offenses and Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for anonymous tips that help locate wanted felons, like Amber Fipps and Jamarlon Reagan.

Amber Nicole Fipps, a 24-year-old Lufkin woman, was sentenced to probation earlier this year upon her conviction for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Possession of a Controlled Substance. She violated the terms of her probation and now is wanted on a felony revocation of probation warrant.

Jamarlon Reagan, a 27-year-old Lufkin man, was convicted and sentenced to probation in 2016 for at least his third offense of Driving While Intoxicated. He too violated his probation and now is wanted on a felony probation warrant, and for several misdemeanor warrants.

The listed warrant information was correct when published but might change before being read. Warrants must be verified before arrest. NEVER attempt to apprehend any suspect yourself; doing so may be dangerous and Crime Stoppers will not pay a reward to anyone involved in such action.

If you know the current location of a wanted felon in Angelina County, Houston County, or Trinity County, visit 639TIPS.com click one of the tip buttons on this page, download our app, or call us at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward. Only the first, most accurate anonymous tip that leads to an arrest is eligible for a reward.

The reward offer exists whether Crime Stoppers profiled a person's felony warrants, or not. To be among the first to learn about wanted people and unsolved crimes in the Deep East Texas area, keep and eye on website page and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

11/19/2018 – Witnesses Sought

October 04, two Lufkinites lost their lives in a vehicle crash on Lufkin's Loop. A Traffic Accident Reconstructionist is working to complete the investigation and asked Crime Stoppers to help find any witnesses to the crash. While this falls outside Crime Stoppers' usual "rewards for anonymous, crime solving tips" model, helping bring this investigation to a close is something regular readers of this article will gladly do.

Lou Rolle, 75, and her husband Richard Rolle, 80, were passengers in a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Roderick Brown, 45, also of Lufkin. About 4:30 PM that Thursday, the vehicle was traveling northbound on Loop 287 when, for unknown reasons, it left the roadway and impacted a light pole and a new Ram truck on the sales lot of Southern Chrysler Dodge, located in the 2700 block of South Medford Drive. Lou died in the crash and Richard died the following morning in a Tyler hospital as a result of injuries he suffered in the crash.

There were plenty of vehicles traveling the Loop that afternoon and it is likely that someone witnessed the crash or observed the vehicle prior to the crash. If you were a witness to the crash, or know someone who is, the accident investigator, Detective Carroll, needs to speak with you. You can reach Detective Carroll by calling Lufkin Police Department at (936) 633-0356.

Although Crime Stoppers cannot offer a reward for identifying a witness to this crash, anyone wishing to provide information regarding the crash, or identify a witness to it, while remaining anonymous may do so by visiting clicking the "Help This Investigation" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and might be eligible for a reward.. Only tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.

Whatever your Thanksgiving plans, when it's time to hit the road, leave early, take your time, and drive defensively.

11/12/2018 – Remember, Remember

"Remember, remember, the fifth of November," once began rhymes sung by those wearing Guy Fawkes masks and telling the tale of the Gunpowder Plot. Now, much of the mask's history is forgotten and it has become a tool for those wishing to hide their identity, including burglars.

Between 1:00 and 3:00 AM October 24, four burglars, one wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, forced their way into storage buildings on North Raguet Street in Lufkin. They filled the bed of their truck with property from several storage units, including; a bicycle, a lawn mower, a golf club set, five "African pictures", a fireplace, and a deep freezer.

The burglars took care to conceal their identities by wearing hooded jackets and covering their faces, including the one using the mask of the 17th century failed bomber, but, apparently, they were not concerned about family, friends, and acquaintances recognizing them based on the collective group and their vehicle. That vehicle is a light-colored, extended cab Dodge Dakota mid-size truck and the group seems to have been comprised of two men and two women.

Portions of the video are included here and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS. The low-light video doesn't clearly show the burglars' identifying features but that won't deter a Crime Stoppers Tipster in their quest to help solve the case and claim a reward. After all, there can't be very many men in East Texas who drive a Dakota and own a Guy Fawkes mask.

If you can identify any of the burglars or know what happened to the stolen property, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and might be eligible for a reward.

11/05/2018 – Remember Darrence

November 03 was the one-year anniversary of the murder of Darrence Kindle. The case remains unsolved and until we, Darrence's neighbors, do our part, his killer will continue walking our streets.

Darrence was murdered during an attempted robbery of Dollar General on Kurth Drive in Lufkin. The killer wore a mask, hood, and gloves, so, despite the best efforts of investigators, forensic evidence alone will not bring the investigation to a successful end. Repeated reward offers and requests for the community's help have not yet yielded useful information but Crime Stoppers will not give up.

Darrence was not a target in this crime, he was a customer and any one of us could have been standing in his place when the masked, gun wielding man entered the store. The killer was inside the store less than four seconds before firing a single shot at Darrence's head, killing him instantly. The murderer then tried several times to shoot the clerk, who could not open the cash register, but his gun malfunctioned.

Video from the store, included here and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS, shows the murderer wearing a dark-colored hoodie, light-colored basketball shorts, and red shoes. He was described as a lighter-complected black male wearing a green Halloween mask.

Crime Stoppers knows that someone can solve this case and has reward money available to encourage them to help. Crime Stoppers has not put a limit on the reward; the amount will be based on the investigatory value of the information provided.

If you know anything that might help bring Darrence Kindle's murderer to justice, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls DIRECTLY to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and anonymous, crime-solving tips are eligible for a reward. Only anonymous, crime-solving tips that concern information not previously provided to or known by law enforcement are eligible for a reward but the entire process, from tip to reward, is anonymous; no one—not Crime Stoppers, not law enforcement, and not the community—will know who you are. DO YOUR PART.

10/29/2018 - Cold, Not Closed

Crime Stoppers attacks crime from all sides. We're ready to accept anonymously-provided crime-solving tips about crimes that haven't yet been reported to or discovered by law enforcement, we're there to publicize crimes and offer rewards at the beginning of investigations, and we profile cases not solved through traditional investigative means. The latter is where we're working this week, focusing on a case from this past summer.

Around 1:00 AM June 02, two burglars stole a backpack and a firearm from a vehicle parked at Clawson Assembly of God on Highway 69 North in Pollok. Other burglaries were reported in the area that night and investigators suspect the same burglars are responsible. Crime Stoppers has video from the church and it should be enough for someone to solve the case.

Portions of the video are included here and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS. The black and white video doesn't clearly show the burglars' identifying features. One appears to be a tall, thin, white male wearing a t-shirt and knee-length shorts. The other has darker skin and hair, and is shorter than the first, but also appears to be male. He was wearing a short-sleeve shirt, calf-length shorts, and dark, hightop shoes or boots. Both were carrying backpacks that seemed to be full.

If you can solve any of the burglaries, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and might be eligible for a reward.

10/15/2018 – Little Pink Bicycle

Cameras are all around us and record much of what we do. Whether it's showing up in the background of a selfie or being captured by a neighbor's doorbell camera, our lives are not as private as they once were. The prevalence of cameras works against criminals, although few seem to worry about it. This week, Crime Stoppers has video of two men stealing from the carport of a Lufkin residence, and your help is needed to identify the thieves and prevent their future crimes.

The theft occurred about 3:45 PM September 03 in the 1100 block of Dunlap Avenue, and resulted in the loss of a small, pink bicycle. Few will see a bicycle theft as a "major" offense, but cases like this impact all of us. Theft and burglary raise insurance rates, lower property values, and reduce quality of life.

Video of the theft is included here and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS. Because of the distance between the camera and the suspects, the images are pixelated. Still, someone will recognize one or both of the black males and be able to solve the case.

It's important to note that Crime Stoppers profiling a crime some might consider less serious does not take focus away from any other crime. Crime Stoppers can handle many crimes and tips at once. Also, theft is never acceptable. Chapter 31 of the Texas Penal Code, which addresses Theft, does not provide an exemption for "I really, really wanted it" or "it's not fair that they have more than me". If you desire something, get a job, save your money, and buy it.

If you can solve this crime, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and might be eligible for a reward.

10/08/2018 – Counterfeiter

Investigators are looking for a man accused of passing counterfeit money at General Nutrition Centers (GNC) in Lufkin Mall. The incident occurred more than a month ago but investigators have been unable to identify the suspect, suggesting he might not be from the Lufkin area. Crime Stoppers knows that someone will recognize the man, regardless of where he's from, and has a reward available for the first, most accurate anonymous tip that identifies him.

According to the store, a black male wearing a red shirt, red shorts, red shoes, and a red hat, used counterfeit $50 bills to purchase dietary supplements. Not only did he walk away with the merchandise, including supplements named Arsenal, Liporush, and Steel Libido, he also received genuine currency as change for the fakes.

Genuine Federal Reserve Notes include several easy to spot anti-counterfeit measures, including watermarks and embedded strips. Information on U.S. currency can be found at uscurrency.gov. If you doubt the authenticity of money you receive, contact your bank or local law enforcement agency.

Portions of the store's security video are included here and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS. The video resolution is low but someone will be able to identify the suspect.

If you can solve this case, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and might be eligible for a reward.

10/01/2018 – Dollar Store Robbery

A masked man robbed Family Dollar on Kurth Drive and Crime Stoppers has a cash reward available to encourage someone to help solve the case.

The robbery occurred at 4:00 PM Sunday, September 23, in plan view of several customers and any passersby but the criminal managed to disappear and, so far, has eluded investigators. Video from the store, located at 1109 Kurth Drive in Lufkin, shows the man casually walking into the store and waiting at the cash register for customers to complete their purchases. His waiting isn't strange, since every transaction potentially increases his loot, but it seems odd that none of the customers reacted to his presence.

The robber walked into the store wearing light, possibly gray-colored sweat pants, a black t-shirt, slide-style sandals, and a black baseball cap, which might not stand out to anyone and shouldn't cause alarm. What everyone should have noticed was the bandana covering the man's face. No one flenched, not the customer who passed him walking into the store, not the customers who he allowed to go ahead of him in line, and not the employee working the register.

Once alone with the employee, the robber demanded money from the cash register drawers while motioning to his waistband and indicating he had a gun. The employee complied, turning over the store's cash, a phone, and his own wallet, and the robber walked away. Nearby, officers recovered the hat, t-shirt, and face covering used in the crime, so investigators are left with the description of a large-build—maybe 6'02" tall and 240 ponds—black male with tattoos that the victim could not describe.

If you can identify the robber, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and might be eligible for a reward.

WANTED: CONTINUOUS SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD

Investigators said Rendon used his position as a church pastor to sexually assault a child numerous times during the years 2004 and 2005.

Rendon has family in the Tyler and Dallas areas, as well as in Mexico.

The listed warrant information was correct when published but may change before being read. Warrants must be verified before arrest. NEVER attempt to apprehend any suspect yourself; doing so may be dangerous and Crime Stoppers will not pay a reward to anyone involved in such action.

The first, most accurate tip that is submitted directly to Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers and leads to the arrest of Jose Uriel Rendon might be eligible for a reward. You’ll never have to give your name and all information submitted to Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers is confidential. You may call Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers at (936) 560-INFO (560-4636) or visit ncstips.com to access their secure webtip form.

09/17/2018 – Tool Truck Thievery

A victim, a criminal, and an opportunity all are necessary for a crime to occur. Law enforcement officers work on all side of this crime triangle, knowing that they need only remove one of the three to prevent a crime. When we do our part to avoid being a victim and eliminate opportunities, the criminals have no way to pry their trade.

Staying alert and using good judgment will make you a harder target and cause criminals to look elsewhere for a victim. Lock your doors. Pay attention to what's going on around you. Light the exterior of your home. Closely monitor your accounts, credit cards, and credit reports.

We can still assist law enforcement, and ourselves, after a crime has occurred. In the case of theft, helping identify a criminal or locate stolen property can prevent future crimes. That's what Crime Stoppers needs you to do today.

In August, a Lufkin resident reported the burglary of his tool truck, which was parked outside his house in the 600 block of Markus Street. More than $11,000 worth of automotive tools were stolen. We've included a list of the stolen tools, which includes GearWrench, Milwaukee, Monster, Grey Pneumatic, and several other brands. Submitting an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers that helps officers find the tools or the person selling them will prevent future crimes and might earn you a cash reward.

If you can solve this burglary or know what happened to the stolen tools, submit a tip by clicking the "Solve This" button below, using Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

09/10/2018 – Pickpocket

Despite what you might read on social media or in the alarming articles forwarded by your mothers, most of us will not be victims of crime. We go about our daily lives unaware of the offenders with which we rub elbows; unaware, that is, until they decide we are easy prey. In August, a Lufkin area resident reported that she was targeted by a pair of thieves and Crime Stoppers wants you to help solve the case.

The victim said she was shopping in Brookshire Brothers on Chestnut Street when she encountered a man and woman she did not know. She said the man stood behind her while the woman engaged her in conversation about cooking. Security camera recordings show that the man and woman abandoned their shopping cart and left the store when the conversation ended. Upon completing her shopping, the victim discovered her Coach brand wallet was missing from an open side pocket of her purse; she believes the woman had distracted her while the man stole her wallet.

The resolution of the security camera recordings is low but someone will recognize the suspects. Both are white, and the woman is short and had a distinctive hair style, best described as a half-shaved pixie cut with the shaved portion brown and the side-swept portion blonde. Video is included here and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS.

If you can identify the suspects, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and might be eligible for a reward.

09/03/2018 – Highway Robbery

Lufkin Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at 6:00 PM August 24 in the 2000 block of Kurth Drive, and investigators need help identifying the criminals involved.

According to the victim, two men in a white, older model, single-cab truck forced his car off the roadway. The victim said he moved to the right to avoid the truck and had to stop on the shoulder to prevent a collision. The suspects also stopped and the passenger exited the truck, pointed a handgun at the victim, and demanded the victim's wallet. The victim complied, turning over his wallet, and the suspects fled.

The victim said both suspects were black males. He was not able to describe the driver any further but said the passenger, the one with the gun, was clean shaven, had short, curly hair, and was wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt with an unknown graphic on its front. The victim estimated the man to be in his late 20s or early 30s and to be 5'07" to 5'10" tall.

The suspects drove outbound on Kurth Drive, however the victim did not see which way they turned at Ellen Trout Drive/Highway 69. Since this occurred during daylight hours, someone likely witnessed the robbery. They might have assumed it was an accident or someone assisting a disabled vehicle, but another driver likely saw the incident and might be able to provide a better description of the suspects or their truck.

If you have additional information regarding this robbery, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

Woodville Police Department needs help identifying and contacting a man who might have witnessed a deadly hit and run vehicle crash that occurred just after 10PM August 22 in the 400 block of S Magnolia St (US 69/287), near the Willis Motel, in Woodville. If you know the man shown in these photos, ask him to contact Woodville PD at (409) 283-5262.

If you wish to provide the man's name and identifying information without getting directly involved and without revealing your name, you may submit the information through Crime Stoppers by clicking the "Solve This" button below, downloading Crime Stoppers' app, or calling Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS.

You might see other requests for assistance with this case but only tips and calls DIRECTLY to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and only anonymous, crime-solving tips that provide information not previously provided to or known by law enforcement are eligible for a reward.

08/27/2018 – Crockett Fires

Since March, Crockett Fire Department has battled eight structure fires in the 800 blocks of Cottonwood Street and Sycamore Street. All of the involved structures, including one inhabited residence, were completely destroyed. Multiple agencies are investigating the fires, which appear to have been deliberately set, and Crime Stoppers wants you to help the investigators.

The Crockett Fire Marshal is leading the investigation, and Crockett Police Department and the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office are assisting. With so many fires in the same area over several months, investigators and area residents are understandably concerned and anxious to find the person(s) responsible. That concern has led to multiple reward offers appearing on social media and in news articles.

As with any unsolved felony crime, Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for anonymously-provided information that leads to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for these fires. Unlike some of the reward offers you'll see, which offer a reward for "information that leads to an arrest and conviction", Crime Stoppers tipsters will not be asked for their name, to give a statement to law enforcement, or to testify in court. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous; in fact, a Crime Stoppers tipster who identifies themselves to Crime Stoppers or law enforcement is not eligible for a reward. The amount of a Crime Stoppers reward is based upon the investigatory value of the information provided. Crime Stoppers does not have a connection to or control over rewards offered by others.

If you have information regarding the fires, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward. Only the first, most accurate anonymous tip that leads to an arrest is eligible for a reward.

08/20/2018 – Lock Your Doors

You should be able to leave your doors unlocked—this is America and no one should be forced to do something as.difficult as pressing a button or turning a key—but you can't. Thieves believe they're entitled to your property and they'll take everything you make available to them. So, when you leave your car unlocked with your gun inside, expect it not to be there when you return.

That's a lesson recently learned by someone in Angelina County's Idlewood subdivision. They left a handgun in their vehicle and discovered it missing the next morning. A camera outside their house captured video showed them what happened. Overnight, a thief walked up their long, dark driveway, rifled through their unlocked cars, and took the gun. The video is included here and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS. The burglar in the video is believed to have entered other cars in the same area.

Hearing "lock your doors" sets off some people. They say "it's not illegal to leave your car unlocked", "locking your doors get your window broken", and "arrest the thieves and this wouldn't be a problem". They're not necessarily wrong but it doesn't change the fact that the simple act of locking your door deters some criminals. Locking your doors and removing your valuables helps even more.

If you can identify the Idlewood burglar or know what happened to the stolen gun, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward. Only the first, most accurate anonymous tip that leads to an arrest is eligible for a reward.

08/06/2018 – Mulcher Moocher

Criminals don't pay attention to county lines so Crime Stoppers occasionally steps outside its normal operating area of Angelina, Houston, or Trinity counties. A recent Tyler County theft calls for such extraterritorial operation.

August 02, someone stole a Kubota SVL95 skid steer with a Fecon mulcher head attachment from a location west of Woodville. The skid steer was being used to clear property on US Highway 190 near Farm to Market Road 256. It was last seen at the location around 5:30 PM August 01. Investigators believe the skid steer was driven from the property onto the asphalt of US190 and then either driven from the scene or loaded onto a trailer.

The images included here show the stolen skid steer and mulcher. A distinguishing feature of the skid steer its homemade bumper. The bumper, visible in one of the images, was constructed from four-inch square tubing and protects a winch.

If you know who committed this theft or the current location of the stolen equipment, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest or the recovery of stolen property might be eligible for a reward.

You might see other requests for assistance with this case but ONLY calls and tips DIRECTLY to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and ONLY anonymous, crime-solving tips that concern information not previously provided to or known by law enforcement are eligible for a reward.

07/30/2018 – Fueled by Greed

Not all thefts are carried out by career criminals but the chance at free cash when someone mistakenly leaves a wallet in a public place can be too much for some people to pass up. Regardless, taking and keeping property misplaced by someone else is a crime and it's the type crime any of us can fall victim to.

Included here, and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS, is video of a wallet theft and you might be able to earn a cash reward by helping reunite the victim with his stolen property.

July 03, the victim stopped at a gas station on West Frank Avenue in Lufkin to fuel his boat for an Independence Day getaway. With relaxing on his mind, he left without noticing that his wallet fell from his pocket. When he realized it was gone, and returned to the gas station looking for his missing cash and credit cards, he found only video of the man who stole everything.

The thief, a black male, was a passenger in a silver, four-door Honda. The video doesn't give a clear image of the thief but if his friends and family watch it they will recognize him or the Honda. The car's windshield wipers were broken and the right front fender was dented where it meets the passenger door.

It's been nearly a month and the wallet hasn't been returned, so it appears the suspect hasn't looked for the wallet's owner.

If you can identify the thief, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and might be eligible for a reward.

07/23/2018 – Crash and Grab

When you absolutely, positively need it overnight...you find a store that stays open all night. Unless you're a criminal, that is. Criminals just smash their way into a building when they want something from a closed store. In the case of Generator Supercenter on West Frank in Lufkin, the smashing involved driving a car through the glass wall at the front of the building.

The burglary occurred late night July 03 or early morning July 04, and resulted in nearly $50,000 in damage and theft loss. After driving through the glass wall and crashing into a large generator, which was propelled across the showroom, the criminals stole two Generac pressure washers (model number G0069210).

Auto parts left at the scene indicate that the vehicle driven into the showroom sustained significant damage, damage that wouldn't have been easy to hide or repair in secret. Investigators are working with the recovered auto parts to determine the year, make, and model of the vehicle used. Their initial findings point to a white Kia.

The images included here and posted to Crime Stoppers' Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages show the damage to the store's front.

If you can identify the criminals involved in this burglary, or know what happened to the stolen pressure washers, submit a tip through Crime Stoppers by clicking the "Solve This" button below, using Crime Stoppers’ app, or calling (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and might be eligible for a reward. Crime Stoppers pays rewards in cash but only for anonymous, crime-solving tips that provide information not previously provided to or known by law enforcement.

07/09/2018 – Take Out

In June, Angelina County Sheriff's Deputies began investigating the burglary of Triple L Ranch House BBQ, located at the corner of FM 706 and Highway 69 North. They were alerted to the crime by an employee who arrived at work to find a door open and the cash register missing.

The cash register, broken open and relieved of its cash, was recovered from a nearby wooded area. The restaurant's security cameras were disabled but not before they captured some video of the burglars. Beyond revealing that two men committed the crime, the videos didn't provide enough detail for positive identifications to be made. When the investigators checked the camera of an automated teller machine in the restaurant's parking lot, they discovered a video that should, with help from the community, lead to the identification and arrest of the criminals.

Crime Stoppers included the ATM video and posted it at facebook.com/639TIPS. Reward money is available for the first, most accurate anonymous tip that identifies the burglars and provides case-solving information.

If you can identify either burglar or provide information regarding other crimes they've committed, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and might be eligible for a reward.

Crime Stoppers pays rewards in cash but only for anonymous, crime-solving tips submitted directly to Crime Stoppers and that concerning information not previously provided to or known by law enforcement. Given the quality of the ATM video in this case, you'll probably need to act quickly to be the first to identify the burglars.

06/29/2018 – Smash & Grab - Best Buy

At 3:30 AM June 29, two burglars forced entry into Best Buy in Lufkin. To get inside, they smashed the glass entry doors and pried open the security shutters.

Four minutes was all they needed to grab iPads, iPhones, Apple Watches, and Galaxy phones. With more than a dozen items stolen and the damage caused to the building, the burglars cost tally exceeds $2,000 a minute.

Wearing gloves might have kept them from leaving fingerprints and covering their faces might have slowed down the identification process, but someone knowns who committed this crime and that person can submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers and possibly collect a reward in the process. Video of the crime is included here and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS.

If you know the burglars or can direct investigator to the stolen property, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Calls and tips DIRECTLY to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous, crime-solving tip that provides information not previously provided to or known by law enforcement might be eligible for a reward.

06/25/2018 – School's Out

Between June 08 and 11, someone stole from and vandalized Coston Elementary School, located on Trenton Street in Lufkin. More than $3,000 in property was stolen and more than $4,600 worth of property was damaged.

Lufkin ISD police officers reviewed the campus' security cameras and found video of a white male suspect on the property June 09 and 10. The videos do not provide a closeup of the suspect but his general appearance and mode of transportation, a BMX-style bicycle, suggest he is young. The videos, portions of which are included here and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS, show the suspect climbing a fence to gain entry to the school grounds, attempting to enter locked buildings, and riding away each day pulling wheeled ice chests.

What isn't seen in the video is the damage being caused and the other items being stolen. Missing construction equipment includes DeWalt tools, welding guns, extension cords, and two ice chests. Vandalized property includes more than a dozen buckets of construction adhesive, toilet paper dispensers, a water fountain, and roofing materials. When the suspect returned to the school June 10, he was accompanied by another male on a bicycle. The second suspect is smaller than the first suspect and rode a mountain-style bicycle.

Someone will recognize one of the suspects and Crime Stoppers has reward money available to encourage that person to help solve the case.

If you can identify either suspect or know what happened to the stolen property, click the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. You might see other requests for assistance with this case but ONLY calls and tips DIRECTLY to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and ONLY anonymous, crime-solving tips that concern information not previously provided to or known by law enforcement are eligible for a reward.

05/21/2018 – Abandoned

Not everyone has what it takes to be a pet parent. Taking responsibility for a four-legged companion's health and well-being simply is too much for some to handle. Thankfully, animal shelters, like Kurth Memorial Animal Shelter (cityoflufkin.com/ac), are ready and willing to assist when the physical, time, or financial burdens become too much. Yes, the shelters would prefer we all take more time to think through animal adoptions before acting so there isn't a need to surrender a pet, but they are there to assist when necessary.

What the shelters, law enforcement, and society won't stand for is animal abuse or abandonment, and Crime Stoppers wants you to help identify the person who last week left a caged dog to die on the side of the highway.

The cute canine you see here was abandoned near Pete's Place Restaurant on Old Highway 69 South. She was locked in a light-blue, metal wire kennel without food or water. A passing motorist found her and contacted Angelina County Sheriff's Department.

Animal Control Officer Wade transported her to Angelina Animal Hospital where she was examined and vaccinated. Once medically cleared, she went to Kurth Memorial Animal Shelter. She has been spayed and is available for adoption.

If you know who abandoned this animal, or know to whom she once belonged, click one the "Solve This" button below, use Crime Stoppers' app, or call (936) 639-TIPS. Officer Wade said she expects to file criminal charges against the person or persons responsible for this abandonment. Calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

04/16/2018 – Not So EZ

January 24, Crockett Police Department responded to EZ Stop convenience store, located at 501 West Goliad Avenue, to investigate a robbery, and that investigation continues today.

The robbery occurred just before 10:00 PM on a well-traveled road and the store's security cameras captured images of the robbers. Although the robbers covered their faces, someone had to have seen them fleeing the scene or knows that they committed the crime. So, when Crime Stoppers offered anonymity and a reward for information regarding the suspects' identities, we expected that tips would assist the investigation. That hasn't happened so we're again asking you to help investigators put these dangerous people in jail.

The first criminal through the door was described as having a slender build, wearing black pants and a dark-color hoodie, and carrying a black backpack with white trim. The other one was heavier than the first and was wearing a black hoodie and grey sweat pants. Both covered their faces, wore gloves, and were armed with handguns.

They forced an employee to empty a cash register and drop safe into the backpack and then they fled on foot from the store. A vehicle was not seen. Images from the store's cameras are included here and posted at facebook.com/639tips.

If you want to claim the reward, submit the first anonymous tip that identifies the robbers and helps investigators make arrests. Tips are accepted only through this website (by clicking the "Solve This" button below), through Crime Stoppers' app, or by phone (936-639-TIPS). Calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

04/09/2018 – Get Paid

Texas is awesome. This is true for many reasons but for Crime Stoppers it's the protections afforded for tipsters that make this a Great State. Crime Stoppers exists in every state of the U.S. and in at least in 24 other countries but Texas leads the way in protecting tipsters and in clearing the way for Crime Stoppers to operate.

Under Texas laws, a person may commit a crime if they intentionally or knowingly divulge the identity of a Crime Stoppers tipster. Crime Stoppers needs the information you have regarding crimes and criminals, not your name. Locally, we take that one step further by paying rewards only for anonymous tips. Not offering rewards to tipsters who identify themselves ensures a tipster's identity is never known and cannot be revealed to anyone. The importance of anonymity cannot be overstressed. You will be anonymous unless YOU tell someone that you submitted a Crime Stoppers Tip.

If there is any drawback to keeping tipsters anonymous, it's on the rewards end of the system. Crime Stoppers pays rewards, in cash, for anonymous, crime-solving tips and Texas laws make convicted criminals provide the funds for those rewards but tipsters must follow up with Crime Stoppers to receive a reward. Crime Stoppers doesn't have a tipster's name, address, phone number, or even their computer/phone IP address, so the tipster has to call back, use the app, or go online to check their reward eligibility.

For crimes occurring in Angelina, Houston, or Trinity County, Crime Stoppers accepts tips through this website (Submit a New Tip), through its app (Download Here), and by telephone (936-639-TIPS). A software program assigns each tip a number and password and that tip number and password are the only way for Crime Stoppers to locate a tip and pay a reward.

03/26/2018 – Not Forgotten and Unrestricted Reward

March 24, 2017, Franklin Donald Cox, a 73-year-old Rivercrest resident, was murdered and Angelina County Sheriff's Office investigators have worked for twelve months trying to identify the killer (or killers). After repeated requests for the community's help, the case remains unsolved.

Whether you knew Franklin Cox or not, if you know anything about the case you have a responsibility to assist in getting his killer(s) off the streets. Crime Stoppers can help you get information to investigators without you having to speak to a peace officer, without you having to testify in court, and with no one ever knowing you helped. Plus, if the information you provide leads to an arrest, Crime Stoppers might pay you a reward—in cash.

When crimes, particularly murders, go unsolved for an extended period, some suggest the offered reward be increased but Crime Stoppers did not put a limit on the reward amount for crime-solving information regarding Franklin's murder. Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit organization run by a board of directors, none of whom are law enforcement officers, who volunteer their time to the crime solving and crime prevention program. The amount of each Crime Stoppers reward is determined by the board of directors and based on several factors, including; the type of crime(s) solved, the number of persons arrested, and the investigatory value of the information provided. Regardless of the size of the reward authorized, many tipsters choose not to collect their reward, seeing Crime Stoppers as a means of doing their civic duty without becoming openly involved in an investigation.

Someone knows who killed Franklin Cox. If that person will submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers—click the "Solve This Murder" button below, or use Crime Stoppers' mobile app. You might see other requests for assistance with this case but remember, ONLY calls and tips DIRECTLY to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and ONLY anonymous, crime-solving tips that concern information not previously provided to or known by law enforcement are eligible for a reward.

03/05/2018 – Repeat

Doc's Office Burglary: February 10, 2018

Some criminals want to be caught, returning to the scene and repeating their crimes, and you might be able to help one reach his goal.

At Christmas, Crime Stoppers showed you a burglary of a doctor's office in the professional building of CHI St. Luke's Health-Memorial in Lufkin. The burglar climbed through a reception desk window and stole Christmas gifts and nearly $7,000 but they kept their face well covered.

That crime was not solved and the burglar struck again February 10. Video shows what likely is the same person climbing through the same window, rummaging through the office, and stealing a bank deposit bag and cashbox. This time, however, the burglar failed to fully cover his face throughout the crime.

Doc's Office Burglary: December 25, 2017

When entering the hospital and while searching the darkened areas of the doctor's office, the burglar had the hood of his sweatshirt up but not covering his face. Before entering the illuminated areas of the office, the burglar covered his face with a t-shirt. The burglar appears to be a young, black male and the video should be enough for an anonymous tipster to identify him and claim a reward.

If you can identify the burglar, submit a tip by clicking the "Solve This" button below, using Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

02/12/2018 – Mobile Banking

January 30, a stolen dump truck and telehandler were used to steal an automated teller machine from a Lufkin bank. The dump truck, telehandler, and the ATM were recovered but investigators have not identified the thieves.

The dump truck and the telehandler (a forklift with an extendable lift arm) were stolen from separate locations in Lufkin and then driven to Regions Bank, located at 704 South John Redditt Drive. The thieves arrived at the bank just before 6:00 AM and used the arm of the telehandler to destroy the outer casing of an ATM in the bank's drive through and to lift the ATM cashbox into the bed of the dump truck.

The telehandler, which police say had been "hotwired", was left at the bank and the stolen dump truck and ATM were recovered from an area off College Drive, behind the Angelina College baseball field. It appears that the thieves stole a trackhoe from a nearby construction site and used it at the baseball field to break open the ATM cashbox.

Although the exact amount of money stolen has not been released, considering the damage caused and money stolen, the total cost of the crime likely exceeds $150,000.

Investigators collected video from businesses in the area of the theft and along the path the thieves took. Portions of those videos are included here and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS.

If you can identify the thieves, submit a tip by clicking the "Solve This" button below, using Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

01/22/2018 – Safe Crime

UPDATE: Angelina County Sheriff's Office located the suspect vehicle in this case and recovered the stolen safe but the suspects have not yet been identified.

We should be able to leave our homes and vehicle unlocked and not have to worry about being victimized. We should be able to do that, but we can't. Since the criminals who live among us continually steal, locking our doors has become habit. When locks are not enough, we secure our belongings in safes but even that was not enough to stop one group of criminals from getting what they wanted.

October 30, at Petty's Motel on North Timberland Drive in Lufkin, five thieves stole a safe from an apartment attached to the motel's office. The crime was captured on video but investigators have been unable to identify the criminals or locate the vehicle they drove. Crime Stoppers included portions of the video here, and posted it at facebook.com/639TIPS, and we're offering a reward for the first, most accurate anonymous tip that helps investigators put the criminals in jail.

The thieves, four women and one man all described by a witness as “middle easterners”, drove a white Mercedes-Benz, a 1995-2002 model E230. When they arrived at the motel, two women distracted the employee by requesting to see the motel rooms. While they were away, the other women searched through the office and attached apartment looking for anything of value to steal. When they found their prize, the man helped them drag it to their car where it was crammed into the backseat. With the employee approaching, the thieves stuffed themselves into the car and drove away.

The safe was recovered five days later in Angelina County but the cash, checks, and jewelry were missing from it. Angelina County Sheriff's Office also located the suspects' vehicle abandoned on a logging road near River Crest but the suspects have not yet been identified.

If you can identify the criminals, submit a tip by clicking the "Solve This" button below, using Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

01/08/2018 – Anti-Santa

Newton told us that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Although he was discussing force and motion, the same principle seems to apply to other interactions. Take, for instance, this week's Crime of the Week case; physicians strive to do no harm so criminals do only harm.

The crime, a burglary involving the theft of Christmas gifts and cash, occurred Christmas Day at a doctor's office in the professional building of CHI St. Luke's Health-Memorial in Lufkin. Video from the hospital shows a burglar entering the doctor's office by climbing through a window at the reception desk. Office staff did not detect any medications missing but three bottles of liquor were taken from Christmas gifts left in the office and bank deposits, totaling nearly $7,000, were stolen.

The video from the hospital lobby, included here and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS, shows the burglar wearing a dark gray hoodie, a black or gray toboggan, blue jeans, and gray and black tennis shoes. Video from inside the doctor's office shows him crawling through the reception window, searching the office, and filling a backpack with the stolen property and cash.

He had the hood of his sweatshirt pulled tightly around his face but someone will recognize him and use Crime Stoppers to anonymously identify him. If you can identify the burglar, submit a tip by clicking the "Solve This" button below, using Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

01/01/2018 – Holiday Hoodlums

For the last few months, while the rest of us were filling the stores doing our Christmas shopping, criminals all over have used the crowds and busy employees to their advantage, stealing everything they could carry. Investigators need help identifying two such thieves.

The hoodlums were captured on video stealing an armload of clothes from Belk in Lufkin. The video, included here and posted at facebook.com/639TIPS, does not provide a clear image of either suspect but it, along with the descriptions provided by employees, will be enough for someone to identify them.

The thieves were described in the police report as a heavyset black female and a black male in their late 20s. The woman had long hair and was wearing a gray Nike hoodie and gray sweatpants. The man had a beard and wore all black clothing. The two entered the store separately and lingered in the Polo section of the men's department; the woman even spoke about the clothes with an employee.

The man left the store, apparently empty-handed, on his own and drove their vehicle to the front door of the store. A minute later, the woman ran to the car with at least five sets of Polo brand sweatsuits and jumped into the waiting car. The two were last seen speeding away northbound on the feeder road of Highway 59 (South First Street). Employees described the vehicle as a black Jaguar.

If you can identify the thieves, submit a tip by clicking the "Solve This" button below, using Crime Stoppers' app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

12/04/2017 – Wire Theft

Someone caused $100,000 in damage to Pine Valley Raceway and Crime Stoppers wants to reward the anonymous tipster who helps solve the case.

November 29, Angelina County Sheriff's Deputies received a report of damage to light poles at the racetrack, located on FM 2497. Photos of the damage show that criminals opened ten light poles and cut the wiring inside each but the photos don't tell the whole story. The copper wire connecting the ten poles was pulled from conduits and stolen, leaving the racetrack's owner to deal with repairing the damage and replacing the several thousand feet of wire.

Although it is possible this was a targeted attack on the racetrack, greed and drug use usually are the reason this type crime. Copper wire, once stripped from its casing, is a valuable metal and it has become commonplace for drug users to steal it from homes, businesses, construction sites, and, in this case, from functioning utility poles.

Crime impacts all of us and someone always knows who was involved. If you have information regarding this crime, don't wait for the criminal to turn you into a victim. Submit a Crime Stoppers tip that helps investigators make an arrest and prevent future crimes.

If you can identify person, or persons, responsible for this theft and damage, submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers by clicking the "Solve This" button below, downloading Crime Stoppers' mobile app, or by calling (936) 639-TIPS, no one will know who you are.

Texas laws protect Crime Stoppers tipsters; calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. To further ensure a tipster's identity is never known, Crime Stoppers pays rewards only for anonymous tips. Tipsters who identify themselves or provide information directly to law enforcement are not eligible for payment from Crime Stoppers.

10/09/2017 – Cash Store Robbery

It’s been nearly two months since two men robbed Cash Store, a loan business on South Timberland Drive in Lufkin, and the suspects have not been caught.

The robbery occurred in the middle of the day August 19 and Crime Stoppers released video of the crime (included here and posted to Facebook) but no one has been able to identify the robbers. The video shows two men, one black and one Hispanic, who spoke to a female employee about the loan process before displaying a handgun and demanding money from a cash register.

With the Hispanic male watching and threatening her, the employee complied with their demands by emptying the register into a sack. The black male turned his attention to a male employee, forcing him at gunpoint to open and empty the safe.

The men fled on foot from the store and crime scene techs have not yet been able to identify them from fingerprints collected at the scene. The employees described the black male as being six feet tall and stocky, with short hair covered by a “doo rag” and said he had some facial hair. He was wearing a maroon shirt and blue jeans. They described the Hispanic male as being five and a half feet tall and skinny, wearing a white t-shirt and black baseball cap.

Investigators have not disclosed how much cash was taken.

Social media comments regarding the video focused on a vehicle parked in front of the business. The only occupant of the vehicle was interviewed; they were not involved in the robbery.

If you can identify either robber, click the “Solve This” button below, use Crime Stoppers’ mobile app, or call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. Calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

Crime Stoppers pays rewards in cash but only for anonymous, crime-solving tips submitted directly to Crime Stoppers and that concern information not previously provided to or known by law enforcement. Funds for Crime Stoppers rewards come from fees paid by convicted criminals.

08/21/2017 – Unsolved, Not Forgotten

La’Kendrick Simmons was murdered December 11, 2008, in Trinity, Texas and his killer has not been caught. Someone knows who committed this murder and refusing to help investigators is unacceptable.

With more than 8 years and 8 months passing since La’Kendrick’s death, its hard to know what, exactly, happened that night. Among the few things we know for certain are that a 19-year-old man was shot dead in his girlfriend’s home and his killer has not answered for it.

You never know what piece of information, no matter how small, will help solve a case. Speak up if you have any details regarding the murder of La’Kendrick Simmons. Submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers if you’re afraid of retaliation but do you’re part to get a killer off the street. If you call Crime Stoppers telephone tipline (936-639-TIPS) or use Crime Stoppers’ website (submit a tip) or mobile app, no one will know who you are.

A sense of civic duty, compassion for a mother’s loss, and concern for the community have not led anyone to help solve this case, so Crime Stoppers is offering to pay a reward for the anonymous tip that leads to an arrest in this case.

Texas laws protect Crime Stoppers tipsters; calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. To further ensure a tipster’s identity is never known, Crime Stoppers pays rewards only for anonymous tips. Tipsters who identify themselves or provide information directly to law enforcement are not eligible for payment from Crime Stoppers.

Be a Crime Stoppers

Crimes occur around us everyday. We don’t notice some and we ignore others but crime is a community problem that can only be addressed with the community’s help.

We convince ourselves that, since our coworker’s purse was stolen or our neighbor’s house was burglarized, we have no reason to be involved in addressing the problem. When we have information about a crime, we fear becoming a target by reporting to the police what we know. We fear the public scrutiny or social media backlash that might follow our name being listed in a police report or our testimony in court.

Crime Stoppers exists to assist law enforcement in solving and preventing crimes and accomplishes these tasks by overcoming the apathy and fear that inhibit community involvement. Even if you cannot see how we all suffer the effects of crime, Crime Stoppers’ reward offer can help restore your interest in helping solve a crime. Crime Stoppers addresses the fear barrier by offering you a means to provide crime-solving information without identifying yourself.

Texas laws protect Crime Stoppers tipsters and Crime Stoppers does not know the names of tipsters, so a tipster’s identity can not be revealed to law enforcement.

Many crime-solving tips are generated through this weekly article. While the article usually profiles a specific crime, Crime Stoppers will accept anonymous tips concerning any crime or wanted felon in Angelina, Houston, or Trinity counties. Without your anonymous tip, a crime might go unsolved. Get involved.

Information provided through Crime Stoppers’ telephone tipline (936-639-TIPS), this website (Submit a Tip), or mobile app is anonymous - no one will ask you for your name or your contact information. An anonymous tip leads to the arrest of a felony offender might be eligible for a reward.

Angelina County Animal Abuse Tips

Crime Stoppers accepts tips on animal cruelty in Angelina County.

The Crime Stoppers board of directors approved an initiative to crack down on animal fighting and pets and livestock being subjected to life-threatening conditions. In order for the system to work, Crime Stoppers Executive Director JB Smith said people have to respect its purpose.

“Crime Stoppers and Animal Control officers can’t do anything about your girlfriend putting costumes on your cat, or about your neighbor not wrapping his Chihuahua in a chinchilla sweater before going out on a 70-degree day,” Detective Smith said. He added that tips regarding “pet parenting” will clog the system and might hinder the process for information about animal-related crimes.

Smith also warned not to use Crime Stoppers to report an in-progress emergency. “Ensuring anonymity”, Smith said, “takes time so, in an emergency, contact law enforcement directly.” He used a pet locked in a hot car as an example of an inappropriate time for submitting a Crime Stoppers tip.

For now, Crime Stoppers can accept animal-related tips for Angelina County cases. Those that occur outside Angelina County will need to be reported the respective law enforcement agency in that jurisdiction.

Animal abuse tips will be treated no differently than traditional Crime Stoppers tips and rewards will be determined using the same guidelines.

If you discover neglected pets or livestock, witness someone abusing animals, or have information that will help stop animal fighting, contact Crime Stoppers by calling 936-639-TIPS, clicking one of the Tip buttons on this page, or using Crime Stoppers’ app. Calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

Anonymity is not Crime Stoppers’ promise—IT IS THE LAW. To further ensure a tipster’s identity is never known, Crime Stoppers pays rewards only for anonymous tips; tipsters who identify themselves are not eligible for payment.

Crime Stoppers

You’ve heard of Crime Stoppers but what do you know about it? Let’s debunk three misconceptions about the program.

The first, and most common, misconception is that Crime Stoppers is, or is part of, a law enforcement agency. Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit organization run by a civilian (volunteer) board of directors. The program exists to help law enforcement fight crime but Crime Stoppers does not investigate crimes, make arrests, or accept crime reports from victims.

JB Smith, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Lufkin, said; “when it comes to being a witness or helping the police, some people are fearful or just don’t want to get involved”. He said Crime Stoppers overcomes this by offering cash rewards and guaranteeing anonymity.

Another misconception is that tipsters have to give their name to collect a reward. Smith said this is never the case and that tipsters who do reveal their identity are not eligible for a reward. He stressed that anonymity is more than a promise. “It’s the law,” Smith said, “it can be a crime to reveal the identity of a Crime Stoppers tipster”.

The third misconception is that Crime Stoppers will only accept information concerning crimes profiled by the program. Smith encourages anyone with information regarding any unsolved felony crime or wanted felon to contact Crime Stoppers. He said the program profiles as many crimes as it can but will accept tips about any crime.

If you can provide information concerning an unsolved felony crime or the location of a wanted felon, call Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS, click one of the Tip buttons on this page, or use Crime Stoppers’ P3 Tips app. Calls and tips directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest might be eligible for a reward.

Anonymous App

Crime Stoppers has an app for anonymously submitting crime-solving tips from your iOS and Android device.

The P3 Tips app by Anderson Software is available, for free, from the iTunes and Google Play stores. Once installed, you’ll set your location; choosing Angelina, Houston, or Trinity County, or a city within those counties, will bring you to Deep East Texas Crime Stoppers.

To submit an anonymous tip, select an offense type and then add any information you have. Investigators need as much detail as possible. Describe the crime, name the suspect, and answer as many questions as possible. The app even lets you send photos and videos.

Once received and reviewed, Crime Stoppers will respond to you through the app. The process is anonymous, so Crime Stoppers will never know who you are, but you’ll be able to send and receive messages about the crime and possible reward.

The app will provide you a tip number and password for use when updating the tip or collecting a reward.

You can add information to your tip anytime and Crime Stoppers can pass along questions from investigators.

The app is passcode protected to prevent prying eyes from seeing your tip and possible reward. At any time, you can submit new tips, review and update an existing tip, or check the status of a tip or reward.

Crime Stoppers tips are anonymous and Crime Stoppers Tipsters must remain anonymous to be eligible for a reward, so never share your app password or identify yourself in a tip. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for anonymous, crime-solving tips received through the telephone tipline (936-639-TIPS), Crime Stoppers’ website (www.639TIPS.com), and the P3 Tips app.

You have to be quick if you want to be the first to submit a Crime Stoppers tip; a reward can be paid only to the first, most accurate tip we receive.

Thrifty Thieves

Crime Stoppers exists to reduce criminal activity by educating the public and providing a way to anonymously assist in identifying criminals. This week, Crime Stoppers wants to educate the public about a common criminal activity in hopes of preventing future occurrences.

The Family Crisis Center of East Texas, a local charity, operates stores in Lufkin through which the sale of donated items provides funds for fulfilling its mission of keeping families safe and free from abuse. When donors drop off items after the stores have closed for the day, the stores are not the only ones who appreciate the after-hours generosity. Regularly, “shoppers” pick through the donations and steal what they want.

The donations left outside the stores are not free for the taking; they are donations to the charity and taking them is theft. The people in the video included here might say they needed charity or that they did not steal but scurrying around when a store is closed is not the act of a person who believes they are within the law.

The Family Crisis Center Thrift Store has not yet sought to file criminal charges regarding the videoed incidents, so Crime Stoppers cannot offer a specific reward for the identification of the actors, but the thefts need to stop. If you know the people in the video, tell them that what they did is a crime. If you witness someone stealing donations from this, or any charity, immediately contact the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction.